Council crackdown on illicit tobacco

He was fined a total of £1,000 for eight offences, and was ordered to pay £1,000 costs. In addition he was instructed to pay £100 in victim’s surcharge and Forfeiture and destruction of the illicit cigarettes was ordered.

Tobacco is now required to be sold in plain packaging, and Trading Standards are already seeing counterfeit plain packaged tobacco entering the market. The City Council’s Trading Standards team continue to work closely with HMRC and Derbyshire Constabulary to tackle the sale and supply of illicit tobacco in the city, and have seen a number of prosecutions as a result.

Last year, Ismael Osman Mohammed, trading at the time as Nasza Biedronka from 296-298 Normanton Road was prosecuted for being in possession of a quantity of foreign labelled tobacco which had been smuggled into the country illegally along with tobacco that failed UK safety tests.

Derby City Council’s Trading Standards Team Leader Fakir Osman said:

“We take the supply of illegal cigarettes very seriously and we will vigorously pursue those who sell them.

“Not only does the selling of cheap illegal cigarettes undermine the legitimate businesses that operate in the same area but also presents a real safety hazard. Illicit cigarettes often do not go out when left unattended and can present a fire hazard.

“Should members of the public wish to report the suspect sale of illicit cigarettes confidentially they can do so through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”